Most people know about the 9-1-1 and 4-1-1 phone systems, but there is also a 2-1-1 system in the state of Alabama.

The 2-1-1 system provides parents a chance to become connected to Help Me Grow Alabama which is a free family information line designed to promote a child’s healthy development.

Help Me Grow Alabama helps link families to information and resources related to child development and parenting, personalized care coordination, developmental screening questionnaires, activity sheets, family activity events and more.

Help Me Grow Alabama helps families connect with resources like counselors for at risk children, pediatricians and even food.

“We believe this is a safety net to identify children and families who need help,” Help Me Grow Alabama Regional Care Coordinator Will Francis said.

Francis said that many parents don’t know that students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch at school are also eligible for summer food services.

Covington County and the City of Andalusia participate in the Summer Food Service Program in June and July with help from the Alabama State Department of Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Andalusia Regional Hospital and the city’s A.P.P.L.E. Program.

Beginning June 6, meals are served Monday through Friday at the Woodson Community Center weekdays from 4 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. The program ends July 29.

Legal guardians must register eligible children online at www.cityofandalusia.com or in person at the Woodson Community Center or A.P.P.L.E. office.

Those offices are open Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

For more information on Help Grow Alabama you can contact Francis at 334-836-1963 or simply dial 2-1-1 on a phone.